By Lori Ehde
The Luverne Farm Store has signed a purchase agreement with Tony Bosch for the former Jubilee Foods building in Luverne.
The 11,500-square-foot structure has been empty since Jubilee moved into its new facility in August 2000.
According to Nate Golla, the Farm Store intends to use the facility for a hardware store and a Purina Mills "pet and companion" animal store.
The hardware supplier has not yet been determined, but Golla said there's definitely a need for those products and services in Luverne.
"Growing up in this town there's always been a hardware store, and it's almost always been True Value," Golla said.
"Just hearing the rumors around town, obviously there's excitement about having that type of business here again."
He added that the location just off West Main Street will be good for the downtown retail district.
"Luverne is a pretty good retail area waiting for customers to come in a shop," Golla said. "I guess my hope is that we'll help strengthen Main Street and the retail business in Luverne."
The Purina Mills part of the business will likely be structured similar to the Farm Store's former Premier Specialties store on Highway 75.
"It will be nice to get that focus for pets back here in Luverne," Golla said. "I think there's a definite need."
He said the term "pet and companion" has come to describe businesses that cater to pet owners and hobby farmers.
"This is for people with dogs and cats or a few chicks or a few goats or for horse people," Golla said.
"We've got some Purina Mills products and services we carry now, but they'd have a better focus in a store where there's more convenient access."
The option of offering grooming services is still just a consideration, Golla said, as are many aspects of the business so far.
"We're still in the process of naming it and setting it up," he said.
Also undetermined are who will manage the business and how many employees are needed.
The Farm Store is named as the owner on the purchase agreement, signed April 25.
It is expected to take possession June 1, and the opening of the new retail facility will likely be later this year.